"I know. Don't make me think about it." Faith sighed. "We're already worried enough."
Becca set two sandwiches down on the table in front of Carter and Archer. "Eat. You guys have a long drive back. I've got a thermos of coffee ready for you and another of ice water."
"It's only four hours, but thank you." Carter reached for the sandwich.
"Four hours after being on the run since this morning," Becca pointed out.
"We've pulled longer shifts. We can sleep a few hours when we get back. The team won't move until night, and we don't even know if they're thinking of moving in at all. I haven't talked to them to hear what they've decided or what information they've found." Archer glanced at Becca. "Have you talked to Bryon?"
"Not since we arrived here. I called to let him know we made it safely. He said they had two people who they were looking into going after and another possible. Matt was still gathering information." Becca looked up as Trenton and Ben walked into the room. "Hey, hungry?"
"I'm good but thanks." Trenton set a stack of files on the table near Carter. "Here is what I've found out about Beth Hudson. She's the foster mother. She's the sister of one of Diaz's men. She has worked for CPS under the guise of foster parent for eight years. Almost all the kids she's taken in that there are records for have gone missing. Most are listed as runaways. I'm guessing there are a lot who we don't have any records of. I can't find any proof of her sexually abusing any of the kids, but I did find two reports of child abuse that somehow hadn't been deleted from the system. Two teens accused her of beating them. The teens were removed from the home, then went missing about a week later. Again, listed as runaways. This was almost seven years ago. I'm guessing that's about when they decided to just not make a case file for the kids she was going to deliver to Diaz."
"And thanks to Marshall in Denver, we have a long list of frequent attendees at Jason and Jared Wagstaff's parties. He found quite a few videos of the parties and the abuse that went on there." Ben sighed. "One video shows Congressman Williams with a young boy."
"Fuck, why can't this ever be simple?" Carter groaned.
"I took the time to do a little research into who we can trust in Las Vegas as far as lawmakers are concerned. Judge Bridget Whitehead seems to be the one you're going to want to make sure you get these files to. She's worked with several groups to target trafficking after her twelve-year-old daughter was trafficked. It took a year to find her. She was working in one of the massage parlors just outside of town. Six other underage girls were rescued with her. This judge will fight for the kids. I'd make sure when you're ready to leave, you forward everything you have to her. Avoid the police chief and the sheriff. While we found no evidence against them, there is chatter out there that they are both on the take and looking the other way when it comes to Diaz and other groups working in the area." Ben got a glass of water.
"Thanks. I'll let Matt know." Carter shook his head. "You'd think I'd be used to this, but it gets me every time I hear about people sacrificing children for money. I'll never understand it."
"You and me both." Faith sighed. "Hopefully, they'll act on the information you have. I'd send copies of those files to several of the larger trafficking hunting teams as well. Make sure they know who they are dealing with."
"They're on it. Some of the information Marshall got came from teams in the area and along the border." Trenton shrugged. "I wish we could do more, but we're small potatoes compared to the other teams."
"We all have a role to play. Until the public wakes up and sees that this is going on, we'll keep doing what we can." Becca started another pot of coffee. "What else can I get you for the road?"
"Nothing, we'll load the stuff Beau has for us and be off. Where is Beau and Parson?" Archer asked.
"Asleep upstairs. We're taking shifts watching Eric. Speaking of which, I should go peek in on them." Faith stood and gave Archer and Carter each a hug. "Stay safe."
"We will. You guys do the same." Carter finished his sandwich and stood. He turned to Trenton and Ben. "Help us load up?"
"Of course." Trenton stood.
Becca opened her arms as Carter stepped up to her. She hugged him tightly. "Take care of everyone for me. I still have plans for that wedding once everyone is safe."
"Promise. I'll be there to walk you down the aisle." He kissed her cheek. "We'll text when we arrive."
"And keep us updated. I hate sitting around wondering what's going on." Becca handed him a backpack filled with food along with the two thermoses. "Drive safe."
As she watched him walk out the door, she said a silent prayer that they'd all return home safe and that in a few weeks when things had calmed down, the team would be by her side as she finally married the man she loved.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Bryon checked the time, trying not to let worry overwhelm him. They'd done this so many times it was habit. The only difference was the location. He didn't have the comfort of sitting at the team house in front of his bank of computers watching traffic cameras and listening to police scanners. He would have to sit back and wait this one out until he got the call the team was safe. "We've got an hour. You guys ready?"
Xander gave him a thumbs up. "Kacey is making sure we've got everything we need in the trunk in case we need to clean up. I've got the burner phones ready to go. The only thing we're waiting on is Archer's confirmation that the cop is home tonight."
Bryon nodded. "You sure you don't need me?"
Xander frowned. "Why are you so worried? This is a one-man job. We're going in with two only because we haven't taken the time we usually do to plan. It's a two-bedroom home. We'll be in and out in no time."
"Here are the files for you to leave at the scene." Carter used a gloved hand to set the baggie with the thumb drive in it on the table in front of Xander. "Once you're home, I'll forward copies of this file to the judge and the district attorney. That way we know someone will act on the information and they won't try and cover it up."
Xander slipped on a glove and took the baggie, shoving it into the pocket in his hoodie. "Thanks."
Matt glanced over at Geo who was watching everyone intently. "You okay?" He hoped the kid was handling all this okay. He was so young, but he also seemed interested in everything going on. He offered advice without being asked when he knew something about Vegas they didn't. He'd been a huge help with telling them what the traffic cameras looked like and where some of them were hidden. "I'm good. What's on the thumb drive?"
